Nail and Teeth Basics

The condition of a man’s hands is noticed whenever he passes a cup, signs a paper, or sits down to dinner; his teeth, being less easily concealed, require still more regular administration.

Trim the fingernails once a week with proper clippers, cutting nearly straight across and softening the corners with a file. Clean beneath them when washing the hands. A man who works with soil, oil, or machinery will naturally collect more grime during the day, which is a reason for more careful cleaning before dinner rather than an excuse to bring the workshop to the table.

The toenails may be attended to on the same weekly occasion, but should be cut straight across. Rounding the corners too deeply encourages an ingrown nail, an absurdly small error which can become painful enough to require medical attention.

Brush twice a day for two full minutes with fluoride toothpaste, using a soft-bristled brush and gentle pressure; timing the exercise for a few mornings may reveal that the usual estimate was generous. Replace the brush after three or four months, or sooner when its bristles begin to splay, since at that stage it does little beyond massage the teeth politely.

Clean between the teeth once a day with floss or an interdental brush suited to the spaces. This may be done before or after brushing; regular performance matters more than the order.

Attend the dentist at the interval recommended for your own teeth, and make the appointment before pain compels it. Enamel does not grow back, and a small repair discovered at examination is generally kinder than the news delivered after another year of avoidance.

Further guidance

• Home oral care, American Dental Association
• Floss and other interdental cleaners, American Dental Association